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Daily Devotions

1 Peter

1 Peter 
Day 
Day 62

"Having a good conscience"

Text: 1 Peter 3:16

BEARING WITH SUFFERING

God has given us many things to help us cope with suffering. In this text, the Apostle Peter mentioned the conscience.

“Having a good conscience,
that when they defame you as evildoers,
those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
For it is better, if it is the will of God,
to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”
1 Peter 3:16-17

1. What is the conscience?

a) The idea of a conscience was also taught by the Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Timothy 1:5).
b) The conscience may be understood in the following ways:
i) It is in part knowledge gained from the Lord’s word.
ii) This knowledge will affect our heart.
iii) It becomes embedded in us and is seen in our faith.
iv) It can bear testimony that brings encouragement to us.

2. “Having a good conscience”

a) This is not just a strong self-image.
b) To have a good conscience is something that must be evident.

3. “That when they defame you as evildoers”

a) Enemies may hurl all kinds of false accusations.
b) The believer may even be accused as “evildoers”.
c) The intention of the enemies:
i) To defame.
ii) To shame.
iii) To cast aspersions on our character.

4. “Those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed”

a) Words may be hurled.
b) But what is the truth?
i) Our conduct in Christ must speak for us.
ii) Our good conscience will guide us as to how we may maintain good conduct.

5. “For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

a) God’s will:
i) God may excuse some from suffering.
ii) He may also allow some others to suffer.
b) Suffering for doing good:
i) We may suffer even if we do good.
ii) But it is better to suffer for the sake of righteousness and doing good.
c) Suffering for doing evil:
i) God cannot condone doing evil.
ii) Our conscience, if it is good, cannot bear a good testimony to our heart.
iii) If we do evil, then we will have to bear with the consequences of doing evil.